Nevada
Nevada – legislation passed in 2011 (2022 ranking: 34)
Summary: Nevada has a “3 foot” passing law that defines the safe passing distance as “not less than 3 feet”. The legislation also specifies that when “more than one lane for traffic proceeding in the same direction, [the driver shall] move the vehicle to the lane to the immediate left, if the lane is available and moving into the lane is reasonably safe…” We appreciate states that try to give us a full lane where possible. The issue, of course, is the enforcement of these very laws.
For details, search with the following keywords: “Nevada Revised Statute Chapter 484B.270.”
From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/nv/title-43-public-safety-vehicles-watercraft/nv-rev-st-484b-270/
From Justia.com:
https://law.justia.com/codes/nevada/2021/chapter-484b/statute-484b-270/
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_Nevada.pdf
Groups to check out:
- Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition: http://www.snvbc.org/
New Jersey
New Jersey – legislation passed in 2021 (2022 ranking: 16)
Summary: New Jersey adopted a 4 foot law in 2021 becoming the second state in the country to adopt a 4 foot law (Pennsylvania was first). The law provides two noteworthy provisions. First, vehicles must provide at least four feet of clearance when passing a bicycle and second, the vehicle driver must reduce their speed to at most, 25 mph.
New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition has a good link with more details of the law:
https://njbwc.org/safepass4nj/
For details, search with the following keywords: “New Jersey Statute 39:4-92-4”.
From Justia.com:
https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2021/title-39/section-39-4-92-4/
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_New_Jersey.pdf
Groups to check out:
- New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition: https://njbwc.org/
New Mexico
New Mexico – no specific legislation (2022 ranking: 44)
Summary: New Mexico does not have specific legislation regarding how much distance must be provided to a cyclist when being overtaken by a vehicle. Cyclists have to rely on vehicle passing laws that, for the most part, only requires a “safe distance” to be provided when passing.
For details, search with the following keywords: “New Mexico Statutes Chapter 66-7-310.”
From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/nm/chapter-66-motor-vehicles/nm-st-sect-66-7-310.html
From Justia.com:
https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/2021/chapter-66/article-7/part-4/section-66-7-310/
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_New_Mexico.pdf
Groups to check out:
- New Mexico Cycling: http://www.nmcycling.org/
New York
New York – no specific legislation (2022 ranking: 13)
Summary: New York does not have specific legislation regarding how much distance must be provided to a cyclist when being overtaken by a vehicle. Cyclists have to rely on vehicle passing laws that, for the most part, only requires a “safe distance” to be provided when passing.
For details, search with the following keywords: “New York Consolidated Laws Vehicle 1122-a.”
From FindLaw.com:
https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/vehicle-and-traffic-law/vat-sect-1122-a.html
From Justia.com:
https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/2022/vat/title-7/article-25/1122-a/
The League of American Bicyclists - Bicycle Friendly State Report Card:
https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFS_Report_Card_2022_New_York_0.pdf
Groups to check out:
- New York Bicycling Coalition (NYBC): https://nybc.net/en/
